Particle detector assembly

Abstract

A particle detector assembly includes a superconducting absorber to which is coupled superconducting tunnel junction detectors for detecting particles incident on the absorber. Each superconducting tunnel junction detector includes superconducting tunnel junction devices connected in parallel.

1. A particle detector assembly comprising: a superconducting absorber to which is coupled at least two superconducting tunnel junction detectors for detecting particles incident on the superconducting absorber, each superconducting tunnel junction detector comprising at least two superconducting tunnel junction devices connected in parallel. 
   
   
     2. An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each superconducting tunnel junction detector comprises at least three superconducting tunnel junction devices connected in parallel. 
   
   
     3. An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the superconducting absorber comprises one of Ta, Al, Ti, V or Nb. 
   
   
     4. An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the superconducting absorber is continuous between the parallel connected superconducting tunnel junction devices. 
   
   
     5. An assembly according to  claim 4 , further comprising a base trapping layer which is continuous between the parallel connected superconducting tunnel junction devices. 
   
   
     6. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the said at least two superconducting tunnel junction detectors are disposed upon opposed sides of the superconducting absorber such that an absorbing area is defined therebetween. 
   
   
     7. An assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bias source which biases at least one of the superconducting tunnel junctions detectors; and 
 an output amplifier which amplifies an output of at least one of the superconducting tunnel junction detectors. 
 
   
   
     8. An assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of base trapping layers, each of the base trapping layers disposed between one of the superconducting tunnel junction detectors and the superconducting absorber. 
   
   
     9. An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the superconducting absorber has an area of substantially 250×500 μm or more. 
   
   
     10. An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each superconducting tunnel junction device comprises an insulating barrier sandwiched between a pair of quasi-particle traps.